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11 Great Patterns for Fantastic Footwear

I’ve become fascinated by the idea of crochet shoes.

Incidentally, I’ll admit to you, I don’t like feet. I have a ‘thing’ about other people’s shoes, and I’m not overly keen on my own, and it’s for this reason I can’t go bowling, which probably makes me rather odd. Crocheted shoes though… what a good idea! Made just for me and designed to stay on my wierd-shaped feet.

Searching for instructions to make my own hip, non-granny-fying footwear, I found quite a few patterns, so I’m obviously not alone in wanting to make my own. Here’s a quick step through some of my favourites.

Antique Ballet Slippers
These are interesting because they use a mercerized cotton sole, so they are probably suitable for indoor use only (hence they are slippers?) The stripes are a little bit old-fashioned, but this shap of shoe might work if it was funked up a bit. Overall, not great, but with potential.

A Pair of ‘Wedgies’
These are instructions for small, medium and large-footed shoes with a T-bar and open toes, based on a ready-made wedge sole. Again, it’s an old pattern and would need funkifying, but with potential.

Spa of the Moment Ballet Flats by Lisa van Klaveren
I found these on Ravelry, and although they aren’t free, they are cute. Lisa has a large Etsy shop, called Holland Designs, where she sells her tempting patterns at extremly good prices. There are some great designs here, including some for kids sandals. (We are not related, and I don’t get commission, I just like her stuff). All are based on crocheted soles. A glance at the rights suggests that Lisa will very generously allow you to sell your finished items made from her pattern (disclaimer – don’t take my word for it, ask her first!)

Thong Sandals (via Wayback machine)
Are knee or thigh-length thong sandals still in? I had to include these, although I don’t think they would stay on me!

Crochet Spider Sandals
More interesting thong sandals, based on a crocheted sole. They are probably lovely and cool, but they show a bit too much foot for my liking (just my foot thing). This site also has a pattern for some basic, what I would call ‘flip-flops’.

Sandal Slippers
If you can get past all the pop-ups, you’ll see that these are based on ready-made soles. They use craft rings on the top, which might give extra stability, but I’m not sure how comfortable they would be. I would like to see these on a model.

Play Shoes (medium size)
These are wedged shoes on a pre-made sole. They tie with a thong, and have a slightly open toes, but look like they would stay on ok. It is an old pattern, but as in the ones above, with a little imagination they could be turned into something cool. It’s for a ‘medium’ size only, but what size that is, I have no idea.

A sturdy pair
These look a bit like the ones above, with a small toe-opening, but these have a heel piece, ankle strap and buckle, which could be reclaimed from an old pair, or maybe a bag. Small, medium and large directions are given.

Indoor Sandals
It might be possible, with some imagination, to alter the materials and shape of these sandals for everyday use. They have a simple crocheted base, toe strap and heel with a thong around the ankle.

Open toe sandals
Double strap sandals with a crocheted base and a pair of inner soles. Need modernising, and the back strap might need reinforcing to make it stable and strong enough for regular use.

Open toes sandals for any size
Finally I have to include these. They are directions, rather than a pattern, so could be made any size. The model does have very cute toes, and the description of drawing around the feet of a two-year-old is accurate!

Overall, I think I prefer shoes based on a crocheted sole, rather than bought ones, because they can be adjusted to fit and tried on as you go (made to fit my wierd feet). However, the advantage of ready-made soles is that they should be more hard-wearing and suitable for outside use.

Yarn needs careful consideration too. It needs to be soft enough to wear, without being tickly or itchy, but have strengh and some resistance to stretching. The sole needs to be particually resiliant, especially for outdoors. It should ideally be washable too, and I like the idea of shoving my shoes in the washing machine.

Gauge is going to be critical when working shoes, because I don’t want to look like a clown.

Bearing this in mind, I’m going to make a pair, probably from a pattern, just to see how they shape up, and I will take the opportunity to experiment with yarns to see which works best. Once I get the hang of it, I might try designing my own.

If you have crocheted shoes, would you like to share a picture? Drop me a line…